Seahawks S Earl Thomas participating in OTAs

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 29: Safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks is pictured before a football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at CenturyLink Field on November 29, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won the game 39-30. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Earl Thomas took to the field Wednesday for the first time since ending the 2016 season on IR. It’s still expected that the safety will be limited through training camp but is on schedule to return Week 1.

Thomas only appeared in 11 games last season and played a career low 693 snaps. His PFF overall grade of 84.1 was his worst since 2012.

Despite his limited production he still ranked inside the top 20 safeties last season, a milestone he has achieved in five of his seven seasons in the NFL, ranking as the 14th-best safety in 2016, fourth (2015), 11th (2014), 11th (2013) and eighth (2011).

Renowned as one of the best cover safeties in the league Thomas has posted coverage grades inside the top 10 for four consecutive seasons, ranking seventh last season, fifth (2015), ninth (2014), and seventh (2013).